Category Archives: Community

Over the years we have seen our politicians at work. As a people one of our hope and prayer is that when we vote our leaders into office they would work in the best interest of the entire country. There is a well-known slogan that people on Statia use to describe how some of our politicians work. Statians describe some of their work ethics as working for “Friends, Family and Favor”. Although they see the country going to hell in a waste basket, as long as their families and friends are secure they ignore the status of the country. That is not only my experience on Statia, but also was the case within the whole former Netherlands Antilles. How many times over the years did the citizens of our country cry out because of the corruption that paved the way for the Netherlands to impose what they call “Higher Supervision”. Holland could not impose such harsh measures if they had no grounds to do so. Our own politicians helped create the situations that cause the masses to cry out to Holland to come and help us.
We who are in the kitchen are the ones who are feeling the heat. We have to live in the heat, we have to work in the heat and we have to continue surviving in the heat. It is easy to stand on the outside and say if you just do this or that you can overcome the heat. But what those on the outside fail to realize is that our experience of working in the heat over a life time have thought us a lot. We look for what is and who is actually helping us, irregardless of race. I know for a fact that many Statians feel that we are not ready at this moment to handle more autonomy. Just check the politicians track record. They keep letting the ball fall all the time. For years we sit on the street corner fretting about how the country is running. We know exactly who is doing what, because we are in the heat of the kitchen every day of our lives.
Now that the consequences are here due to some our politicians lack of integrity, wrongdoing, bias work ethics, and working solely in the interest of family, friend and favor, I say as one who is in the kitchen and feeling the heat: Time for a change. Until our politicians are mature enough to run our country in the interest of everyone, we open the door for Holland to run our affairs for us. Government after government sat in office and as a collective fail again and again to work together in the interest of our people.

For years when some of us got sick only a chosen few would get government grants/guarantee to travel abroad for further medical care. A chosen few had the privilege to travel to St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Miami, or even Holland for medical care. Right now the ones in the kitchen feeling the heat, also get the same medical care across the board. Right now there are those of us that are terminally ill and are getting a chance at good medical care.
In times past the ones in the kitchen feeling the heat were told there is nothing we can do. It is too expensive to send you abroad. But those with money at that time and those with the right politician affiliation at that time got the help they needed. That is the heat in the kitchen that I am talking about. The leaks within the medical insurance right now needs fixing, yes. The procedures that are in place are not being adhered to by the patients at times. That’s a fact. But often times the workers in the office fall back in the old work ethics of “family, friends, favor”. That is some of the leaks that needs to be fix. The procedures that are in place are working in the interest of everyone, but the system needs to be adapted to ensure that some of the workers in the office do their jobs and work in the interest of every patient. As a patient I to had some issues with the procedures, but that was due to the fact that the procedures were not explained. That didn’t mean that the procedures are bad, it means that those executing the procedures have to learn how to do so objectively and not execute the procedures based on personal likes or dislikes or whether or not I am their friend. Again I say that doesn’t mean that the present status is bad. What needs to be fixed is the communication and working arrangement between doctor, patient and the workers at the medical insurance office.

When scholarships were handed out only a chosen few would be granted a scholarship to attended the top colleges. How much of us can send all of our children to school now, that it is free of charge. How much of us can now collect food stamps every month end to help put food in our bellies. A lot of people that need food stamp to help them out of their situation still don’t know about this kind of help that is available.
These are some of the help we are now getting to help alleviate some of the heat we are feeling in the kitchen. These are some of the reasons why I am convinced at this moment that we only need to fix the leaks and not change the roof. In times past individuals who had the better paying jobs and didn’t needed aid (we used to call it “understand”) got that free money because of the political affiliation. We all know what use to go on and is still going on with the Golden Rock houses. These are low income residents. The issue of rent that is being paid at the moment is a political hot potato, that no politician will touch because again it will cause him or her a vote or two. If our local politicians never had the courage to tackle this problem, why should I believe with more autonomy they will.

None of us like the tax system that is in place, but on the other hand if we demand that the government give us what we have rights to, the money must come from somewhere. If we are given more autonomy will we have to pay less tax? A lot of the tax laws that were always on the books were never implemented. With our present status a lot of the laws that have always excited are now being implemented. Had our local government in times pass implement those laws it would have undoubtedly cause them the elections. Right now that is not the case. We have to pay our taxes in one way or the other. If we don’t pay our taxes we would not be able in enjoy the benefits we get by paying taxes. We demand a good medical insurance with the best possible medical care, we demand decent road to drive on, we demand an educational system for our children that will help them compete in today’s market. Does demands come with a price. So some way somehow we have to pay taxes. We don’t want to settle for mediocre service. We want the very best for our hard earn money. We demand this from government. If our demands are so high then we have to expect that we will have to pay tax in some from or the other. For years a lot of us never paid taxes. Now that time is over.
Some feel that Nustar is the solution to all our financial problems. I respectfully disagree. Nustar can decided to leave at anytime if doing business on St. Eustatius in not profitable to them. I have trouble rationalizing that giving what we have now to solely depend on Nustar is a good thing. Nustar will have the monopoly regarding our income. If I take Winair as an example, a company that is part of us and have the monopoly on air travel on Statia. Look at the high price for the tickets. We can’t do anything about the high prices for years. If I am not mistaken Nustar is an American company. If they become our sole income they can do what they want. They will have the monopoly. When we had more autonomy in the times we were still in the Netherlands Antilles, our leaders sat at the bargaining table with Nustar and told them we don’t have the expertise in house to bargain with so you (Nustar) make us a proposal. After Nustar put their proposal on the table we complain that the can afford to give us more. This is the company that you want me to trust from the position of monopoly.

I know that my opinion on the following matters is going to cause some unrest. I have been criticized regarding my opinion on price control issues. Laws concerning prices controls were always in existence, but never implemented. Long before the Chinese restaurants and supermarkets were all over Statia, Statians complained of the high prices we had to pay for groceries and other items in our local businesses. Now that we have so many foreign businesses our local business owners use the fact that there is so many foreign businesses to compete with they have to raise their prices. My experience taught me different. The prices were high even before the Chinese came to Statia. Some of our local business owners set the profit they want to make at the end of the year. Then no matter what the tax office charge, then set their prices to meet the profit goal that they set for themselves. Even after the tax office said that certain goods would not be taxed, the businesses, including our local business owners, never changed the high prices on their goods. The excuse was: The price is high because of the high taxes. Now we know what they have to pay tax on and what they don’t have to pay tax on. When we ask but why you didn’t drop the price on those goods. The excuse they come with now is: We have to pay high freight for the shipping.
Are the high prices due to the tax, or is it greed? Does this mean that the present tax system doesn’t work, does it mean that we need more autonomy, or does it mean that we just need to fix the leaks.

Now if somebody wants to convince me that changing the roof is the best way forward, then your message must have substance. You need to address the aforementioned issues. We have been fooled to many times, and had to many promises made and when our chosen candidate gets in government, they forget the country and follow the “friend, family and favor” principle. My opinion that fixing the leaks seems to be the best way forward is based on the heat in the kitchen that is finally subsiding at this moment. We see it happening now, we are living it now. Trusting the next politician that tells me lets go back to how it was, but this time with more autonomy, is hard. That politician promising me that I will work in the interest of the country this time is again asking me to trust him or her. They are asking me to trust their whole political party, which include other candidates with their own visions, likes and dislikes. A party board with their own agenda. When one politician ask me to put trust in him or her they are asking a lot of me, seeing the track record of politics on Statia over the years.
Within the former Netherlands Antilles we had more autonomy and the track record that is recorded in history was “friend, family, favor” above country. I am convinced and resolute in my thinking and I believe strongly in my stands. Anyone with a message that we need to completely change what we have now, have to know what they are talking about, must be also resolute, clear and convincing. When I tell you why and what I believe and that offends you, then you have a very weak message. I consider this a very serious matter that is going to either break or better Statia. So anyone that want to dialogue and debate this matter must have a well balance, thought out, researched, comprehensive message. Persons with personal political affiliations or agenda’s that don’t have Statia at heart can better take their message elsewhere. If your message is more autonomy is better and in the same breath tell me that Statia don’t have any leaders then what am I going to do with more autonomy. Your message is confusing. Who do you purpose to be the leaders to govern us. Are those leaders capable of handling more autonomy. Our political leaders have a track record that speaks for itself.
Yes, our forefather fought, bled, suffered and even died fighting for more autonomy, which we had under the Netherlands Antilles. “We” messed it up. Our leaders that we keep putting in power messed it up. When we can prove that we are working in the best interest Statia as a whole then we can consider more autonomy. When we can guarantee integrity, no corruption, fairness, equal treatment, transparency, and all the requirements of good governance. It is sad to see that persons are not informed enough on our present status and are being asked to change to a status they we know even less about. Everybody is now playing the blaming game. Who should inform the public.
There is an old political strategy that has been used for years on Statia. If you can’t convince somebody to see thing your way, create confusion, create conflict, try to discredit the person. The constitutional status of Statia is too important to play political and mind games with.
Stop fooling the people and start telling people the truth. Present the information objectively form both sides. The present status and your purposed status and then let people make up their own minds on how to move forward.

Which measures and facilities are needed to enable more students from the former Netherlands Antilles to successfully finish their studies broad? This was the central question during the conference “Studying abroad” on September 29 and 30 in Kralendijk, Bonaire. Participants included, besides the study counselors of the islands, representatives of DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), Study Financing and the various education-related institutions, responsible for the preparation and guidance of students who leave their island to study abroad.

Under the guidance of moderator Inge Berben (director of Fundashon FORMA for adult education and training) the participants exchanged knowledge and experiences and reached consensus about a set of measures, needed for the improvement of the following aspects concerning studying abroad:

• the preparation of future students on their own island;

• the guidance of students on arrival and during their studies in The Netherlands and in the region;

• the establisment of a central database containing information about recognized learning institutions in the region.

Representatives of institutions from Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten and the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands provided insight in the way they tackle the preparation and guidance of students abroad through presentations. These made clear that the islands currently approach these aspects in their own way. The participants agreed that an integral approach is needed, combining the best practices and experiences of the individual islands.

They decided on the formation of a central platform ”Studying abroad”, with participants from each of the islands. The platform’s mission will be to identify, initiate and coordinate the actions needed to create a blueprint for a central preparatory and guidance program. This will enable each island to subsequently make its own choices for the establishment of the preparatory and guidance programs, based on the islands’ own vision and responsibility. The platform will become operational before the end of this calendar year to formulate clear goals and the activities needed to realize them. The formation and start-up of this platform will be guided by the department of OCW (Education, Culture and Science) within the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN), which also initiated this conference.

Experiences from the islands make clear that students who pursue their studies in the region in general have a higher success rate and experience fewer problems adapting to the life and culture abroad as well as language-related problems that usually stand in the way of a successful studying career. An inventory of schools for further education in the region proved the existence of an ample offering of recognized education institutes in the Caribbean region. Besides that, it became clear that cooperation agreements with some relatively expensive institutions can result in possibilities for reaching college fees that can be paid completely or in great part through study financing.

The program was concluded by the Foundation “Studiekeuze 1 2 3” (independent supplier of study selection information within the Netherlands, through the website studiekeuzeinformatie.nl amongst others) which presented a proposal for expanding the existing database of European Dutch education institutions by adding the offering in the Caribbean region. How this information should be included in the database and disclosed through island websites, will be one of the topics dealt with by the platform “Studying in the region”.

On Wednesday August 20th, 2014, two young men were sent to Bonaire for pre-trail detention. They are suspected of committing various robberies on the island. I do not know the intricacies of the two cases to comment on these charges and will absolutely make no attempt to do so. What I will state is that on this day, many more individuals should have taken the trip to Bonaire with them.

Included on this trip to Bonaire should be those individuals committing white collar crimes. In criminology the two young men now in Bonaire are accused of committing what is referred to as blue collar crimes. Blue collar crimes are those crimes committed by individuals from a lower social class. Let’s just say those who are disenfranchised-not making enough money to survive or not presented with the opportunity to improve one’s standing in society. In addition to blue collar crimes, there are also white collar crimes or those committed by individuals of a higher-level social class. It is a simple fact that there is often an increase in the number of blue collar crimes when a significant number of white collar crimes are being committed.

White collar crimes often go unprosecuted because they are insidious meaning that they cause harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed. One such white collar crime is direct embezzlement. Direct embezzlement entails the theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer. Without mentioning any specifics, if there was no embezzlement, there would be more money to spend on projects that are important to the development of the island’s infrastructure. This would increase the number of jobs available to employ the nations youth so that they would not have to commit crimes. Send them to Bonaire.

There is also the indirect embezzler. This is someone who hoard’s money. These people make sure that they set up themselves so that the money that comes to the island goes directly into their own pockets. Thus, all the financial capital remains in the hands of one or two individuals who for some unknown reason have been able to, and are continually allowed to, strategically place themselves into a prominent position. These types of crimes happen so often on this small island that it has just become normal and accepted. It is time to identify this type of behavior, prosecute and give them a free trip to Bonaire.

Another type of crime that is now ingrained in Statia’s culture is defamation of character. Defamation of character is any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person’s reputation; decreases the respect, regard, or confidence in which a person is held; or induces disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable options or feelings against the person. The vehicle for the defamation of a person’s character is gossip. Gossip is the idle talk or rumor, especially about personal or private affairs of others. While gossip is a normal characteristic of humanity, it becomes very harmful and dangerous in a small community when gossip is directly intended to isolate and disenfranchise certain individuals. Thus, based on many ideas that may or may not be true (personal business is really just NO ONE’S BUSINESS), individuals are denied jobs or are just simply treated in a disrespectful manner. Defamation of character can be a criminal or civil crime. It encompasses both written statements and spoken statements, called slander. Gossip simply can hurt people’s livelihood and those who practice this behavior should be prosecuted and placed on the plane to Bonaire.

Yet another category of disturbing crimes which go unnoticed and often not prosecuted is the violence against women and children. Violence and abuse affect women and children from all kinds of backgrounds every day. Sometimes, women and children are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them. Violence and abuse can cause terrible physical and emotional pain. Any violence including sexual abuse (penetration of a non-consenting individual) is unacceptable and should not be tolerated by the people of Statia. Individuals who intentionally abuse women and children should be prosecuted, put on a plane and placed under the jail in Bonaire.

Unfortunately, many of the examples of the crimes mentioned above do not get prosecuted. As a result these people are seldom punished and are empowered to continue their criminal tendencies. If this pathological trend continues, Statia’s development WILL be inhibited and its people WILL fail to flourish. If you wish to become knowledgeable of the new BES law you may visit http://wetten.overheid.nl/zoeken/. Let’s move forward with a zero tolerance attitude so that this beautiful island can blossom and reach its full potential.

Last week, members of the study group that is conducting out a feasibility study regarding the instruction language on St. Eustatius visited the island for the second time. The feasibility study follows the linguistic study “Language of instruction in Sint Eustatius”, which was performed in 2013. The linguistic study presented two options for the future language policy of St. Eustatius. Both options are based on English as the language of instruction with Dutch as a strong foreign language. That study did not include the feasibility of the options brought forward.

Following the first phase of the investigations into the school instruction language a feasibility study is now being conducted into the possible language policy scenarios. The study includes two additional options that were introduced by the State Secretary of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). The first additional option is: a continuation of the present system but with a number of adaptations. The second additional optional, like the options presented in the first reseach, is based on English as the language of instruction with Dutch as a foreign language, combined with the use of exams from the Caribbean Examination Council.

The feasibility study deals with three questions:

Which adaptations would be necessary, for instance in terms of the methods, materials, exams and teachers?

Which are the expected consequences, e.g. for the results and the possibilities for further education?

How should a possible transition be tackled, for instance: what would it mean for the current pupils?

The study group is formed by education expert Tineke Drenthe (chair), the Curaçao anthropologist Rose Mary Allen, Antilles expert professor Gert Oostindie and professor in education Wim Meijnen. The second visit was made by Tineke Drenthe, Rose Mary Allen and Gert Oostindie, with the support of secretary Monica van Leeuwen-Laan of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences. During this first visit the team spoke with many education stakeholders and experts.
During the second visit to St. Eustatius the group spoke with many education stakeholders and experts, including pupils, parents, teachers, school principals and board members. The team also visited Saba and St. Maarten, where they also spoke to experts.
The report will be discussed with commissioner of Education Zaandam (Sint Eustatius) early in June. The State Secretary of OCW and the Executive Council of St. Eustatius will discus the results of the feasibility study during the Caribbean Netherlands week in June next.

The objective of the feasibility study is to make it possible for State Secretary Sander Dekker of OCW to take a well-founded decision in June next on the language policy to be pursued in St. Eustatius. If it is decided to proceed to adaptation of the instruction language regime, it will be laid down in the law. The regime will then apply to all schools on the island.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Tineke Drenthe, Rose Mary Allen, Gert Oostindie and Monica van Leeuwen-Laan during a visit to Fort Oranje on St. Eustatius.

Climate change has increasingly been in the news with the release of the UN’s climate reports and the ongoing documentary on Showtime. Does this matter to Statians?

It does. Climate change is already affecting us in many ways and will continue to affect us, our children and our grandchildren for many generations to come. There are both direct effects and indirect effects.

Climate change includes a rising sea level, change in rainfall and hurricanes and change in the underwaterworld

Direct effects include rising sea levels that may eventually destroy Lower Town, where our power station, water plant and port are located. Other direct effects may change our rainfall, increase the Sahara dust and change the paths and strength of hurricanes, although there is no clear answer yet as to exactly what the effect on hurricanes will be. The beautiful corals that attract scuba divers to our waters may gradually die as the ocean warms and becomes more acid. Ocean changes are also likely to affect the fish.

Price of imported food will go up

The indirect effects may be more important to us than the direct effects. Part of Statia’s food is imported from the U.S., and the western U.S. has been experiencing increasing drought. Some ranchers have sold their herds and farmers have given up planting crops because there isn’t enough water. Climate change is expected to gradually make this situation worse. This raises the price of the imported food we eat. Other food exporting countries like Brazil are likely to be similarly affected in years to come.

Effects of increased price of fossil fuels

Another indirect effect comes from efforts by the large nations to slow climate change by increasing the price of fossil fuels. We will experience this in increased prices of gasoline, gasoil and electricity, increased shipping costs and increased prices of things that require a lot of energy to produce like concrete, steel, plastics, paint, and automobiles. NuStar’s business could be affected, and NuStar is our largest private employer. As fuel prices rise, so will air fares and this affects tourism.

But what can we do about this anyway?

We can and should do two things. We should plan for the changes so that they do us as little harm as possible. This is called “mitigation” in climate change jargon. And we should do our part to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

Move valuable assets to higher ground

What mitigation is needed? The Dutch are the world’s experts in dealing with the sea. We should ask them for help in preparing an assessment of the effects of climate change on Statia, and the appropriate mitigation. The plan should look at the likely effects of rising sea level on lower town and consider alternatives such as moving valuable assets to higher ground or building seawalls to protect the assets where they stand.

Who should pay for mitigation? This is a contentious topic in climate change meetings, but the general principle seems to be that the rich countries that are mostly responsible for putting the greenhouse gasses into the air should pay for the damage that they will cause. This is a topic our local government should raise with the Netherlands.

Renewable energy for our electricity needs

How can we Statians reduce our greenhouse gas emissions? Many ideas have been published for reducing emissions but not all of them apply to Statia. One that does is converting to renewable energy for our electricity needs as much as is possible, and we should do everything we can to encourage STUCO’s plans in that direction. Another idea that works for Statia is to use local food and other local products instead of imported products whenever we can, to reduce the fuel burned in shipping.

Our present cars need care, we need public transportation

An idea that doesn’t work well for us is switching to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. If we must buy a car, of course, a small and fuel-efficient one is better. But it takes about 100 barrels of oil equivalent to make a new car, which is enough gasoline to drive perhaps 100,000 miles. Few cars here will last long enough to drive that far, so fuel savings can never pay back the oil equivalent needed to make the new car. We do better by keeping our present cars in good repair for as long as possible. We can also plan our days so that we make as few car trips as possible and walk when we can. If we had some public transportation so that we needed fewer cars, that would be even better.

Via the mailingservice info@statianews.com, a discussion was followed by the readers about the advancement in salary Mr. Tearr was given. Last island councilmeeting that was the hottest topic. Below the comment Jean Marie Molina has pertaining the matter.

Dear editor,

Please allow me to comment on the issue discussed in both comments sent in by the Misters Simmons.

I think all involved should stop treating the situation as if it is a matter of life and death.
The questions that in my
opinion that need to be asked are:

1. Was the advancement legal? As in permissible by law.
2. Was the commissioner eligible for this loan? Or advancement or whatever it is called
3. Were proper arrangements made for the government to be paid back? As in when, how many (monthly) installments?

If the questions are not answered to the satisfaction of the council, then additional steps need to be taken. So, that within a reasonable amount of time this matter can be done with!

I for one, cannot understand why every matter debated by the representatives must be reduced to sarcasm, mockery, name calling, mud slinging, (subtle)insults and character assassination.
Why can’t we simply have clean debates with everyone sharing their version of the truth?

Also let us simply be honest. All parties wish to be elected. So there is also a personal gain involved. I understand that. I understand the need for tactics as well as the need to impress certain viewpoints on the voters mind. However, if our leaders were living up to their mandate these shenanigans would never be necessary!

What I do not understand is why this particular issue. It is important, but it is not first priority to drag on the debate on the matter. Say you agree or disagree and why. And simply move on to the next also utterly important issue. Please stop your own and everyone else’s time and get to work!

You want to be (re)elected then show the people what you have done for Statia. Tell them how your actions and those of your counterparts have made the island livable, comfortable, and worthwhile for all inhabitants.
Show them you are doing your utmost to better the current state of affairs. Your track record can and should speak for you.

Let me close with a personal note to the brothers Simmons. There is much potential in both of you. You may stand at the opposite end of a spectrum. However, you both are Statia’s diaspora. I have read various of your articles of the past years. Quite frankly I expect more and better of both of you! I am counting on the both of you to be the leaders I know you are. Remember, Statia needs YOU! Statia has no time to waste. Do better!! I know you can!!

A letter to the Statian child

Drs. Jean Marie Molina

Hello child of Statia,

How are you? I hope my words find you in the best of health and happiness! Today I would like to make time to tell you some very important things. I know you might be wondering, who I am, and why I chose to write this letter to you. But, who I am is not important. What really matters is who you are.

Child of Statia who are you? When I ask you this question I do not mean who is your father or mother, where you were born or what your nationality is. I want to know who you are inside. I want to know what your dreams are. What you wish to become in life, and why. What makes you smile and laugh? I even want to know what makes you cry. More importantly, you need to know these things about yourself. If you know who you are, then you know what you can do, and where you can go in life.

Child of Statia, I want you to know that you are amazing. You are a gift to your parents and the world. You are special. You have the right to be happy. To think your own thoughts. To share your opinions with others and to stand up for what you believe in.

Child of Statia, I want you to know that you are intelligent. You often understand the world far better than us adults do. You know things, many things, and you must be proud of what you know. When you do not know, ask questions. Continue to ask them until the answers you get satisfy you. Adults don’t know everything but they know a lot you can learn from them and they can learn from you

Child of Statia, you are good enough. Just as you are. You were made perfectly. There is nothing wrong with you. Being different in whatever way means simply that: different. There is no good or bad when it comes to being who you are. Be yourself! That is the one thing that only you can do. So do it to the best of your ability.

Child of Statia, having an education is important. It starts with getting good grades. Studying and applying yourself is good for you! Do you sometimes get angry? Do adults do things that you do not agree with, or that you feel you can do better? Do you disagree with the decisions our leaders make? Then go to school, study hard, do your best. And then, when you are grown, and even know you can change things. You have the power to create your own destiny. But first you must understand the world. Having an education will help you do that. It will open doors you could never imagine it would. It will take you places, you never knew existed. It will help turn your dreams into reality. It will help you become who you are meant to be. So please go to school and stay there until your task is done!

Child of Statia, do not be afraid. Fear paralyzes people. It stops them from doing what they know is right. You must always do what is right, because it is right. Doing the right thing helps you and those whom you care about. It makes the world a better place. Do not worry about those who may tease you. Who may mock you. Remember this, them teasing you shows their fear of you and what you can do. They can see your potential. If they can see it, that shows how great it is. Never let them win. Never let them break your spirit. Use their words, their negativity to push yourself forward. Stand up for what you believe in no matter what.

Child of Statia, we all make mistakes. Adults make them all the time, and so will you. But never let your mistakes or the mistakes of others define you. Let people’s words remain words. Their words never have to become your reality. If you have done something wrong. If others constantly say your name with scorn. Prove them all wrong, by picking up and pressing on.

Child of Statia, sex can wait. There will come a time when your body and mind will change. You will feel many strange and wonderful things. Nothing is wrong with those things or you. But, you may be too young to understand and deal with these things the right way. Do not let your curiosity and the urges of your body decide for or control you. Sometimes your mind will play tricks on you, and that could get you into situations you are not ready for. Instead talk to someone you know you can trust. Be responsible for yourself and your behaviour. All actions have consequences so weigh your actions well.

Child of Statia, I believe in you! I believe in the power that rests deep in your soul. I believe that you can be your very best. I believe that you can change your home, your school, your church, your island, your world! There is much potential in you. It will only come out if you allow it to. Believe in yourself. Have faith in what you can do. Because you can do it. You can be what you were called to be. I expect nothing less from you. You should never accept anything less of yourself.

Child of Statia, I love you……

Child of Statia, I hope to hear from you. Feel free to contact me and tell me about your journey to greatness; callipaedia@gmail.com.